On the recordJune 29, 2020
Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Usually, one's healthcare is not top of mind, until it is. This, Madam Speaker, is one of those times. We have to protect people's healthcare, men and women, whether it is battling the coronavirus, finding a cure for cancer, or even birth. Currently, Medicaid covers women for only 60 days postpartum, but life-threatening complications from pregnancy, as we all know, can continue much longer. These illnesses don't follow the calendar. Regulations, of course, must align with reality. This needs to be changed. Fortunately, this bill would extend Medicaid coverage to a year postpartum and provide women with critical coverage to help detect, diagnose, and treat potentially fatal complications. By ensuring better health awareness from the beginning, we can ensure that all babies are protected and cared for as they grow. When our Nation is facing a health crisis, the logical reaction should be to strengthen healthcare, not to weaken it. We need to secure these smart policies to protect future Americans from the start. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Affordable Care Enhancement Act.





